Fashion Industry Employment Outlook – 2019

StyleCareers.com conducted the Fashion Industry Employment Outlook Survey in December 2018 to help give job seekers a good idea what to expect in the first half of 2019.  Over 200 fashion industry recruiters and hiring managers were surveyed. Below are the results…

Over the next six months (Q1 & Q2 of 2019) do you anticipate hiring for new positions to be greater than or less than the previous six months?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

With respect to hiring, it seems the industry is treading water.  Some of this is due to the ongoing Retail Armeggedon, some is due to the influence of technology and the resulting efficiency gains.

How likely do you think layoffs are in the next six months (Q1 & Q2 of 2019) at your organization, or if you are a recruiter at your clients’ organizations?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

This answer points to a modest optimism about fashion industry recruitment.

Did your organization, or if you are an agency recruiter, your clients’ organizations, have layoffs in the last six months (Q3 & Q4 of 2018)?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

Compared to 2016, 2017 and 2018, this is great news!

Compared to 6 months ago, are you seeing an increase in the number of candidates applying for positions?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

The slowdown in layoffs in the first half of 2018 has slowed the number of applications somewhat.

What trend do you see in salaries for new hires?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

Roughly 50% of those surveyed think that fashion industry wages will grow in 2019.  My guess is that a lot of this is from competition from outside of the fashion industry.

What are your top sources for talent for fashion-specific positions?

Commentary from Chris Kidd:

About 63% of fashion industry employers and agency recruiters name StyleCareers.com (or StyleCareers groups/career fairs) as their #1 or #2 source to find talent. This is a little less compared to last year BUT we are still very proud to be the go-to site for fashion industry talent.

Interestingly, WWD and ApparelNews don’t even register this year.  LinkedIn seems to be gaining a little ground and the traditional job boards have been overtaken by Indeed (completely).

When looking for a new job, it is important to be where the recruiters are. While we encourage job seekers to use as many resources as they can, it is apparent that NOT using StyleCareers.com will greatly decrease your chances of getting a new job